Four-star DT sees chance to 'play right away'

InsideTennessee brings you the best and latest recruiting news. Scroll down to read about a Class of 2014 four-star who recently picked up a Tennessee offer.

Class of 2014 four-star defensive tackle Craig Evans may have re-affirmed his commitment to Wisconsin at the Offense-Defense Bowl in Florida, but his recruitment is far from over.

Evans was pleasantly surprised to pick up a Tennessee offer earlier this week and plans to take a yet-to-be-scheduled official visit to Knoxville to get a closer look at the Vols.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder points to the Vols' highly ranked recruiting class and a "promising" future as the main reasons the offer excites him.

"I mean, it says a lot. Tennessee has that really strong recruiting class in my class so it means a lot that they offered and think I'm talented enough to be a part of that," Evans told InsideTennessee. "If they can get a class like that, it just shows what type of program it's going to be in the future. It means a lot.

"I plan on taking an official out to Tennessee. It's a great place and a great school, so I have to check it out. It is the south and I love the south. I've always had interest in Tennessee growing up and could just never get that offer from them. I'm going to take the time to visit and see if I like it and take things from there."

The Wisconsin native said he's been in contact with Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek and defensive line coach Steve Stripling, saying he immediately "clicked" with both.

"They realize that I have pretty special talent and they think I could come in and play right away," Evans told IT. "They think I'm fast and really quick for my size. They've just been telling me they think I'm way ahead of the game as far as some of the other kids in my class. They telling me I could be a big, big part of this already big recruiting class and I really believe that."

Evans also likes the potential to play early at Tennessee.

"They've just been telling me they lost all their D-line guys and need talent to play right away," Evans said. "Who doesn't like to play right away?"

Evans said he's anxious to see Neyland Stadium and Tennessee's facilities in person, but added he already knows all about the program and its following after talking with Vols commit Charles Mosley and several others while at the O-D Bowl.

"Everyone was just telling me it was crazy down there and it doesn't get any better. That's always exciting, you know," Evans said. "They just said that it's nothing but love all around the program. I look forward to seeing it."

Tennessee, obviously, is entering the picture late, but Evans said the Vols don't need to worry about playing catch up. If he likes what he sees and hears, he said, that's good enough for him.

"It doesn't really matter to me that (Tennessee) hasn't been talking to me all this time. If you feel it, you feel it. I'm not saying I do, but I want to check it out," Evans told IT. "It's all about seeing what the place is like. You know, seeing what the campus is all about and seeing how the coaching staff could use me and all that. I want to see the community. It's just about seeing what it's all about."